michelle obama

Last week Michelle Obama, with daughters Malia and Sasha and mother Marian Robinson, set off on a goodwill cultural tour of England and Italy. On the six-day trip, which the First Lady used to promote the Let Girls Learn and Let's Move initiatives, Obama wore European and American designers, reminding us of why we can't get enough of her personal style. It was like 2008 all over again, when Obama first hit the scene and major fashion crushes ensued. For the first stop on her global tour the First Lady arrived at Stanstead airport, wearing a yellow-and-blue lace Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dress. You can find a similar style on sale at avenue32.com for $960. During the visit to London, Obama met with students and educators at the Mulberry School for Girls to discuss how the two countries are working together to enable access to education for young girls around the world. Her multicolor Mary Kantrantzou dress popped against the girls' uniforms. Obama wore U.K. designer Christopher Kane for a visit to 10 Downing Street. She teamed the black and floral embroidered dress with black Jimmy Choo kitten heels. After her time in the U.K., Obama and family jetted off read more

First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Mulberry School for Girls in Tower Hamlets in London last week—a neighborhood The Telegraph calls "one of London's most deprived areas." The First Lady spoke about how she grew up in a small house in a tight-knit, hardworking community, and, despite wanting an lacking role models—"I was black, and that didn't help," she said—she build a foundation for success on studying hard and doing well in school. "My feeling is that maybe this story is something you in the audience might be able to relate to," she told students. Turns out, it was. "Throughout the whole speech I thought: That's me, that is just me," Sujina Khatun, an 18-year-old student in attendance told The Telegraph. "Her speech resonated with me because I think I can probably do this despite all the barriers that I find in my way. You can tell she has overcome a lot of things and that she is strong." Here are four of the most inspiring things First Lady Michelle Obama told the young women at Mulberry Street School for Girls. Skills you need to succeed: "A strong foundation in writing and being able to communicate your thoughts and feelings read more

One member of the Obama family gave a strong, powerful speech about race last weekend, and it wasn't the President. During her commencement address at Tuskegee University, a historically black college, Michelle Obama tackled a long history of racism in the U.S., how she and her husband have been targeted because they are African American, and the reality that as a country, we still have a long way to go in overcoming ignorance and prejudice. Early in her address, she gave a nod to the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots educated at the university who fought in World War II, and the struggles they endured as black soldiers: "While the airmen selected for this program were actually highly educated—many already had college degrees and pilot licenses—they were presumed to be inferior," she said. "During training, they were often assigned to menial tasks like housekeeping or landscaping. Many suffered verbal abuse at the hands of their instructors. When they ventured off base, the white sheriff here in town called them 'boy' and ticketed them for the most minor offenses. And when they finally deployed overseas, white soldiers often wouldn't even return their salutes." That was just the beginning. read more

In a moving video that places emphasis on the importance of community, the Barack Obama Foundation announced that the future home of the Barack Obama Presidential Center—including the Obama Library, Museum, and Foundation home—will be built on the South Side of Chicago. "With a library and a foundation on the South Side of Chicago, not only will we be able to encourage and effect change locally, but what we can also do is attract the world to Chicago," President Obama says in the film. Chicago has a special place in the history of the Obama family. It's First Lady Michelle Obama's hometown; it's where both the President and the First Lady grew their careers; where they got married and had their own children; and it's the first city where the now-President was elected to public office. There are currently 13 presidential libraries in the United States. The first began with President Herbert Hoover—it was dedicated in in 1962 in West Branch, Iowa. read more

Have you ever wondered how style develops? In the battle of nature versus nurture, the jury's still out, but these six fashionable families make us wonder if there's something in the water. Something very chic, that is. The Obama Family First Lady Michelle Obama's feminine power dressing has inspired us since the first campaign stop in 2008. Now it's Sasha and Malia that pique our sartorial interests. Like their mom, the girls favor pops of color and elegant skirts with fitted tops. Wonder how many walk-in closets there are in the White House? The Casiraghi Family When Hermès names a handbag after your grandmother, you know you've got some chic shoes to fill. Princess Caroline of Monaco and her daughter Charlotte Casiraghi have certainly done that, and then some. Caroline's elegant gowns are always great eye candy, and Charlotte's collaboration with Gucci catapulted the jodhpurs trend. Royal grandmother Grace Kelly would be proud. A photo posted by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on Nov 16, 2014 at 7:27pm PST The Knowles Family Mother Tina helped launch Destiny's Child by creating matchy-matchy costumes the media couldn't get enough of. She also designed for House of Dereon alongside daughter Beyonce. And don't even get us read more

Here's an easy (and free!) way to use your social media presence to raise awareness and encourage students around the country to strive for higher education: this Friday, First Lady Michelle Obama will speak in Detroit at the city's first College Signing Day—where more than 1,500 students from more than 40 local highs schools will gather to participate in a rally. FLOTUS will be speaking to the students about the White House's Reach Higher Initiative, which is designed to encourage American kids to set their sights on attaining some form of higher education. President Obama's goal: for the United States to have the highest percentage of college grads in the world. To celebrate College Signing Day—which will host more than 400 events around the country, Michelle Obama is encouraging everyone to take to social media and post photos of themselves wearing gear from their own alma maters. So, this Friday, pull out that old college tee (or sweatshirt, depending on how cold it is where you are) and post it on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #ReachHigher. You can also tag the posts to @FLOTUS and @ReachHigher on Twitter and @MichelleObama and @ReachHigher2020 on Instagram. Here's TV's Meredith Grey read more

Saturday Night Live's Cecily Strong had a tough job tonight: She had to follow President Obama and Keegan Michael-Key, who brought his Key & Peele "Obama's Anger Translator" bit live to the commander in chief's set. But Strong's jokes lived up to her name—and, it has to be said, were packaged perfectly for tweeting and retweeting. These are the lines still ringing in my head: "Since I'm only a comedian, I'm not going to try to tell you politicians how to do politics or whatever. That's not my job. That'd be like you telling me what to do with my body. I mean, can you imagine?" We can, we can. "I love Hobby Lobby. I went there this morning and I just bought the cutest little wicker basket to hold all my morning-after pills." With her Hobby Lobby burns (refresh yourself on their landmark contraception-deniability case here), Strong piled on Amy Schumer's "ask every guy in your life if birth control is right for you, since it's their decision" sketch from this week. "Hillary [Clinton]'s slogan is 'It's your time,' which is what I assume she says into a mirror while she's dead-lifting 200 pounds." Let's hope this imagery pops read more

Guys, this has been a bonkers 48 hours. First of all, Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris dating? They are so sweet and blond and pink, they might show up in your Easter basket on Sunday. Secondly: Am I really crazy for finding Megan relatable on Mad Men? (See the heated backlash on my girls of Mad Men tribute.) And lastly: Do we need to invent a 100+ approval ratings meter for Michelle Obama? Because the woman can just do no wrong. Let's dive in. I won't make you wait till the end of the roundup for this: Jimmy Fallon and Michelle Obama did "Evolution of Mom Dancing 2." They're supposed to be dressed dowdy, but I bet you any money the cardigan and top the First Lady is rocking sells out by the end of the day. Also, is Fallon wearing Lena Dunham's Scandal wig? Michelle news, part two: Michelle Phan launched Icon, her online lifestyle network. And I pronounced her the next Oprah. But even if you're not buying in quite that hard, I guarantee Pretty Little Pranksters and/or this fun day in the life with Lucky's Virginia Nam will win you over. Michelle news, part three: Katie Couric read more

My, but this weekend was busy! Between the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, the iHeartRadio Awards, and Black Girls Rock, there must have been miles of red carpet rolled out. Before we get any further into Monday, let's take a look at the very best outfits. Jessica Chastain often picks simple, solid gowns, but I could totally get used to seeing her in bold patterns like this black-and-white beauty. On the iHeartRadio carpet, Taylor Swift cemented my belief that in her heart of hearts, the girl's dying to be a Victoria's Secret model. The sparkle, the cutouts, and the itty-bitty hemline? She could've borrowed this saucy pick from Alessandra Ambrosio's closet! (And I love!) She's wearing ear cuffs from Graziela Gems and shoes by Tamara Mellon. Iggy Azalea went super classy in a long Temperley London skirt and a white crop top. As if we couldn't talk about this beyond-stylish snap of Romeo, Cruz, and Brooklyn Beckham! Victoria and David have confirmed that all their kids are fashionable, and now we can all agree that those definitely aren't just the words of proud parents. Skipping the red carpet, Angelina Jolie wore another version of her signature red carpet look to accept read more

Is Michelle Obama bald? That's the question that flooded social media outlets last night after the First Lady appeared in a video clip for the game show Jeopardy. Watch: Her hair was pulled back and either thanks to a tricky lighting situation or a new lighter hair color, it virtually disappeared on-screen, leaving some viewers wondering what exactly was going on. Then a debate broke out on Twitter, with some users declaring she had shaved her head, while others pointing out that her hair simply looked slicked back. So that's why everyone was talking about Michelle Obama's hair last night. My verdict: strange lighting trick. Her hair has not gone anywhere. Everyone carry on. read more

Yesterday in Washington, D.C., President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama announced the launch of a "community-focused girls' education initiative across the globe" as part of the Let Girls Learn program that taps into the talents of Peace Corps volunteers everywhere. Here's how the new initiative will roll out: · The Peace Corps will be "supporting hundreds of new community projects to help girls go to school and stay in school" including mentoring programs, leadership camps, and other "entrepreneurial projects." All these projects will be "community-generated and community-led" by local leaders, families, and "even the girls themselves." · Active gender and girls' education training for Peace Corps volunteers. "Even volunteers who are focusing on other issues like health care or agriculture can also help support girls' education on the ground," the First Lady said. "As part of #LetGirlsLearn, we’re going to be launching a new, community-focused girls’ education initiative" —FLOTUS pic.twitter.com/ND2SS8cT6m— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) March 3, 2015 The President also spoke extensively about the impact of increasing access to education for girls in need. Here are three salient points he made—ones that Glamour readers are all too familiar with, if you've been following our work on the Girl Project read more

Billy Eichner has taken his gig indoors with the first Billy on the Street of 2015—specifically, inside a grocery store with FLOTUS, Big Bird, and classic contestant Elena. Also involved: Ariana Grande, her ponytail, Guardians of the Galaxy, Aerosmith, the all-female Ghostbusters, Gwyneth Paltrow, and so.many.vegetables. The bizarre, fast-paced hilarity we've all come to love ensues—watch now, and prepare to laugh out loud at your computer! Billy on the Street with First Lady Michelle Obama, Big Bird, and Elena!!! from Funny or Die Only Eichner could throw all of those people, places, and things together and make us laugh in the process. Also, I'm exhausted just watching him—even Michelle Obama was winded by his high-energy routine. Can this be my new cardio? What did you guys think of this year's first BOTS? read more

First Lady Michelle Obama has long been a champion of encouraging America's children to eat healthier—and her Let's Move! campaign has worked with parents, schools, and local organizations to foster a growing national culture of smarter food choices and more active lifestyles. But have you ever wondered what Mrs. Obama grew up eating at home? "[My mom] was famous for her lemon chicken, and that was a good Sunday dish," Michelle Obama recently told Cooking Light magazine. "There was always the sad and unfortunate liver Wednesdays...weekends were more fun...fish on Friday, and maybe once a week we'd do takeout, get pizza. But there was a pattern to what we ate. They were familiar flavors...we would sit around the table with the plastic tablecloth, and that's when we would catch up and we'd talk about what we were eating, talk about what was going on in the day." Eating dinner with the whole family around the table every night is a family tradition the Obamas practice today—in spite of everyone's busy schedules. And it's one of the most important, Mrs. Obama says. "We've found that we've been able to have dinner...almost every night together, between 6:30 and 7," she said. "We read more

The eldest daughter in the first family of the United States of America may have an extraordinary life, but that doesn't mean she's immune from important but otherwise ordinary teenage decisions. Like college. This afternoon, First Lady Michelle Obama and First Daughter Malia Obama were spotted touring New York University in the morning and Columbia University in the afternoon. According to an NYU student who happened to be on the scene, elevators at Goddard Hall were shut down to student and public use for 10 minutes while Malia and Michelle checked out the building—admissions officer and Secret Service in tow. "Apparently everyone was told that the elevators were 'shut down' for the 10 minutes they were in the building, but I knew the truth," the tipster told NYU Local. Later that afternoon, the Obamas headed uptown and were spotted having brunch-lunch at Community Food and Juice, a Columbia University hangout. A photo posted by @gggeetika on Feb 6, 2015 at 10:06am PST Malia Obama is 16 years old and a junior at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. Which college do you think she should attend? read more

While President Obama touched on topics like paid sick and maternity leave, making college affordable, and cybersecurity during his sixth State of the Union address (ICYMI, watch the entire speech here, or read Caitlin's great recap here), a social media storm was a-brewing—but not over #SOTU or Boehner's tan. Last night, it was FLOTUS and her outfit-of-choice causing the stir. Specifically, it wasn't what Michelle Obama was wearing (a gray tweed jacket and dress from Michael Kors 2013 collection) but who wore it first: Alicia Florrick on The Good Wife, as some ultra-observant Twitter users pointed out. Tonight: Michelle Obama is bringing some fierce Alicia Florrick! #SOTU #thegoodwife pic.twitter.com/Ey5OfWCCzT— Taylor Cole Miller (@taycole) January 21, 2015 It makes sense that two of our favorite—and best-dressed—political wives (even if one is fictional) would have overlapping style, and I'm loving that exaggerated collar on both of them. Good luck trying to repeat the look yourself though: The jacket has sold out nearly everywhere post-SOTU. What did you think of the First Lady's Alicia Florrick moment? And (dare I ask) who wore it best? read more

Just because they're graduates of Harvard Law School and currently reside in the White House under protection of the Secret Service doesn't mean President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have ever been protected from racism—especially in social situations. In a recent interview, the President and the First Lady spoke about some of their own experiences with racial discrimination: mostly in the context of everyday experiences. "There's no black male my age, who's a professional, who hasn't come out of a restaurant and is waiting for their car and somebody didn't hand them their car keys," President Obama told People magazine. First Lady Michelle Obama remembers one incident at a gala: "He was wearing a tuxedo at a black-tie dinner, and somebody asked him to get coffee." "I think people forget that we've lived in the White House for six years," Michelle Obama said. "Before that, Barack Obama was a black man that lived on the South Side of Chicago, who had his share of troubles catching cabs." Though, the President notes, these anecdotes pale in comparison with what ordinary citizens face every day. "The small irritations or indignities that we experience are nothing compared to what a previous read more

Tailoring is nothing new—I can't tell you the amount of times a wise fashion person has told me her best styling tip was to take pieces in to have them nipped, tucked, or otherwise custom-tweaked to achieve the best fit possible. If we're all being advised to do it, you better bet that the world's most-watched outfits get some customization, including those belonging to Kate Middleton and Michelle Obama. On her recent NYC trip, Kate showed off all kinds of smart winter outfit tricks to try, though this one involves some heavy-duty sewing you'd have to work with a professional on. When you see the Tory Burch coat she wore to a Brooklyn Nets game side-by-side with the on-model shot, it's pretty apparent how much shorter Kate's is, right? We can't blame this one on Kate being tall (chances are the model is too). Instead, she had it shortened, likely so she could wear it as a coat dress in her typical style. She wore it buttoned-up throughout the entire game, and it looked totally chic. Can you imagine if she wore it like that at the longer length? It'd look awkward, as if she was wearing her coat indoors. read more